Peter Obi vows to slash cost of governance, cut presidential fleet

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has pledged to drastically reduce the cost of governance if elected president in 2027, promising to cut the presidential fleet, eliminate what he described as unnecessary government structures, and ensure political leaders share in the sacrifices expected of Nigerians.

Speaking during an interview on Politics Today on Channels Television, Obi said his administration would prioritize fiscal discipline from its first day in office, arguing that government officials should not enjoy lavish privileges while citizens face economic hardship.

According to the former Anambra State governor, meaningful reforms require leaders to lead by example.

“If you ask the people to fast, you fast with them. You can’t ask them to fast when you’re feasting,” he said.

Obi criticized what he described as excessive government spending on luxury items, including presidential aircraft, insisting that such funds would be better invested in critical sectors like healthcare and education.

He argued that resources used to acquire or maintain government luxuries could instead fund cancer treatment centers, primary healthcare facilities, and other essential infrastructure.

“We must shut down this waste and deal with the issues that will protect our people and serve our people properly,” he added.

The NDC candidate also vowed to scrap the government bureaucracy attached to the Office of the First Lady, arguing that the Nigerian Constitution recognizes only the office of the president.

“The person seeking votes today is Peter Obi, not Mr. and Mrs. Obi,” he said.

While acknowledging that his wife would naturally assume the role of First Lady, Obi maintained that there would be no separate government structure or publicly funded office for the position.

He also questioned the continued expansion of Nigeria’s presidential air fleet, saying existing aircraft should be utilized more efficiently and that commercial flights could be used for official travel where practical.

Obi said his approach was shaped by his experience as governor of Anambra State, where he claimed to have reduced government spending and rejected costly official arrangements, including maintaining expensive liaison offices in Abuja and Lagos.

He stressed that leaders must demonstrate the same sacrifices they expect from citizens, warning that economic reforms lose credibility when governments simultaneously remove subsidies or impose austerity while increasing spending on luxury assets for public officials.

During the interview, Obi also addressed questions about his foreign assets and declarations to the Code of Conduct Bureau. He dismissed allegations linking his overseas investments to corruption, saying many of the assets were acquired before he became governor and were funded through legitimate savings accumulated while living and working in the United Kingdom.

He maintained that all his assets had been properly declared and challenged critics to present evidence of any missing public funds rather than questioning his personal wealth.

Obi further pledged to pursue an uncompromising anti-corruption campaign if elected, insisting that his personal conduct would reflect the standards he expects from public office holders.

“I will fight corruption brutally and I will show it. I will live it,” he said.

On political alliances ahead of the 2027 general election, Obi said he remains open to working with other opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso.

However, he emphasized that his strongest partnership would be with Nigerian youths, urging them to play an active role in determining the country’s future through the 2027 elections.

Obi also suggested that the 2027 presidential race could be his final attempt at the presidency, noting that he would be nearing his late 60s by the end of a first term if elected.

When asked what his first action in office would be, Obi reiterated that reducing the cost of governance would be his immediate priority.

According to him, his administration would focus on cutting government expenditure, reducing political privileges, and redirecting public resources toward sectors that directly improve the lives of Nigerians.